For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. - 1 John 3:8 NKJV
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. - Colossians 2:15 NIV
On Calvary, the greatest battle for the souls of men was waged.
On the red corner was Satan the "Destroyer", the accuser of the brethren, the father of lies, the stealer, the killer (John 10:10; Rev. 12:10).
On the blue corner was Jesus the "Lamb of God", the Shepherd of the sheep (John 10:11; John 1:29).
It was already the 12th round, all the rounds were on Satan's favor. The lamb never even lifted his gloves to fight!
Jesus was bloodied, his face already marred by the blows of Satan. His body was already weak by the number of blows he received. There was no point for him to continue the fight.
Even the crowd shouted to him, "Give up the fight!" (Matthew 27:42)
He turned his eyes to his Coach...
His Coach didn't throw in the towel though, but what disturbed him was that his Coach no longer looked at him. Did he sell the fight and abandon him? (Matthew 27:46)
Thousands upon thousands of spectators watch in amazement as the fight continued.
Those on Satan's side were all cheering their champ. "Go for the kill shot now, Satan." Annihilate him."
Those on Jesus' side wondered why does he still fight on. There is no point to this fight. They all fell silent... Their champ was losing the fight...
In one fell swoop, Satan delivered the kill shot...
Jesus fell dead on the canvass. His spirit left him (Luke 23:46).
Satan the Destroyer was all pumped up.
He ran around the ring like a wild beast. Declaring...
"He's dead... he's dead. I won."
The trouble in every fight is when the fighter gets too cocky runs to the corner, climbs the ropes and raises his hands in victory when there is still time left and the bell hasn't rang...
Little did he know that the 3 seconds that had passed...
Jesus was already on his feet.
Blood was no longer on his face.
His face now look more radiant like the sun.
His feet became like burnish bronze.
His appearance was like a billion stars shining in all their radiance... (Rev. 1:13-16)
From the thundering shouts of victory on Satan's camp, came this deafening silence...
Awe filled their eyes...
Then all of a sudden overwhelming fear gripped them.
Their knees began to shake as they all bowed down to the ground.
Satan turned his face to see...
And also watched in awe...
And fear too gripped him.
What a terrible fool I am. Outwitted again!
For the battle was not in the flesh. Sure enough Satan won and defeated Jesus in the flesh. Jesus' flesh was beaten and it died...
But His Spirit lived on.
Surely the Son of Man was defeated.
Surely the Son of Man died.
But when the flesh was done away with...
The fullness of the Son of God and his power was revealed.
"No... No...NOOOO!", cried Satan in utter despair as he too knelt on his feet IN SURRENDER and WORSHIP!
Thus, JESUS TRIUMPHED!
The flesh was done away with. Satan made sure of it. But in so doing, JESUS' very nature was revealed.
He is THE WORD.
Who was in the very beginning with GOD.
And NONE can CONQUER HIM! (John 1:1)
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life---only to take it up again. NO ONE TAKES IT FROM ME, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” - John 10:17-18
ALL OF OUR SINS were laid on Jesus' body on the cross.
With Jesus' death, our SINS died with it and Satan unknowingly made sure of it!
The truth is... Satan was fighting the VERY THING THAT GAVE HIM POWER!
When Jesus arose, our sins were left behind on the cross. And since death came with sin, death too was done away with.
Jesus arose to victory!
Through His triumph on the cross, we too can take part of his victory.
All we have to do is side with the victor. Claim his victory as our own.
Do away with the workings of the flesh by seeing it nailed on the cross by faith.
As Jesus rose from the grave, let us rise to our new identity in Christ.
Redeemed. Forgiven. Made New.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17
